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NewJerseyYankee
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« on: April 26, 2008, 01:46:36 am » |
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Hi all  I'm writing a CW novel based on the letters of a fictional Union Army drummer boy, Benjaim Franklin Crossroads. I was just wondering am I allowed to include fictional battles in my story (i.e. Battle of Muddy Farm - 3-9 March 1865)? Thanks, ~ James P.S. Sorry about my intro post... I accidentally deleted the account after I posted |
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"The Drummer Boy Letters" - the American Civil War as seen through the letters of a young Union Army drummer boy.
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Webmaster
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« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2008, 05:27:48 pm » |
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Hi all I'm writing a CW novel based on the letters of a fictional Union Army drummer boy, Benjaim Franklin Crossroads. I was just wondering am I allowed to include fictional battles in my story (i.e. Battle of Muddy Farm - 3-9 March 1865)? Thanks, ~ James P.S. Sorry about my intro post... I accidentally deleted the account after I posted Hello and welcome to my discussion forum Mr James. I hope that you will find this place intressting. A novel that sound intressting, is that book coming to the store? |
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« Last Edit: April 26, 2008, 05:31:11 pm by Webmaster »
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NewJerseyYankee
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« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2008, 06:43:18 pm » |
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Well, when I get finished I hope it will go into stores Anyways, are fictional battles okay in my story?? |
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"The Drummer Boy Letters" - the American Civil War as seen through the letters of a young Union Army drummer boy.
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ole
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« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2008, 01:13:27 am » |
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The keyword is "fictional." It would be nice if you could cause your readers to wonder about it (as in "The Red Badge of Courage" or "Dances with Wolves"). But you might be forgiven if you introduced alien intervention as well. It is, after all, fiction.
Just a thought.
ole
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I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
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Johan Steele
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« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2008, 08:59:53 am » |
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Reality generally makes better fiction than fiction. It all depends upon the point of view of the main charachter. If he's a private soldier in the line his outlook at Shiloh isn't likely to be that different than at Peachtree Creek. Just the direction he was facing and the volume & intensity of enemy fire.
If he's a General seeing the overall picture it's going to be a lot different.
The point is simple, research and lots of it.
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Shane Christen
"The South went to war on account of slavery... South Carolina went to war as she said in her secession proclamation, because slavery would not be secure under Lincoln...don't you think South Carolina ought to know why it went to war?"
John Singleton Mosby
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NewJerseyYankee
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« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2008, 06:26:22 pm » |
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Thanks Johan I've been doing LOTS of research on Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg lately, as well as the smaller battles and campaigns, mostly in Georgia, Kentucky, Carolina etc. |
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"The Drummer Boy Letters" - the American Civil War as seen through the letters of a young Union Army drummer boy.
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Timotheus
Newbie
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« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2008, 08:14:35 pm » |
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Given the huge variety of real Civil War battles, I'm not sure why you would need to invent one unless you're doing one of those "alternative histories." I would just pick one in about the right place and time, research it enough to get the facts straight, and incorporate it as your background.
I'd love to see more "historical fiction" that used the smaller engagements. I once considered writing a little novella based on the "Siege of Suffolk." Not a lot of casualties there, but some fascinating goings-on.
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NewJerseyYankee
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« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2008, 03:44:43 pm » |
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I'll do that Tim Anyway, just curious, were there any units named the 52nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War? It's one of the main Confederate units in my story. Thanks again. EDIT: I've found a reenactment website about the 52nd Georgia. |
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« Last Edit: May 07, 2008, 04:09:06 pm by NewJerseyYankee »
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"The Drummer Boy Letters" - the American Civil War as seen through the letters of a young Union Army drummer boy.
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Webmaster
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« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2008, 04:32:30 pm » |
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Well, when I get finished I hope it will go into stores Anyways, are fictional battles okay in my story?? How much have have you done with your book, its nice to see that people care about thier history. |
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NewJerseyYankee
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« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2008, 04:54:54 am » |
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I'm halfway done with Ben's first letter, near Shiloh, TN |
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"The Drummer Boy Letters" - the American Civil War as seen through the letters of a young Union Army drummer boy.
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